Saturday night’s alright for Hairspray and fever

The Dukes in Lancaster swings back to the 60s on Saturday with a night dedicated to one of the most popular musicals of all time.

Sing-A-Long-A-60s Hairspray features a screening of the hit film complete with sing-a-long subtitles to tunes including Welcome to the 60s and You Can’t Stop The Beat.

It will be compered by Lancaster actress Sue McCormick, who appeared at The Dukes last autumn in her self-penned play No Fat Juliets.

A special Hairspray ‘environment’ will be recreated including music and food and guests are invited to dress up in Sixties style with prizes for the best-dressed partygoers.

Box Office: 01524 598500 or www.dukes-lancaster.org.

A new production of iconic disco dance story Saturday Night Fever comes to Manchester next week.

The hit 1977 film starring Oscar-nominee John Travolta inspired an incredible soundtrack by the Bee Gees and popularised disco around the world.

This new production is packed with those legendary hits including Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing and How Deep is Your Love?

In Brooklyn Tony Manero is a young man with a dead-end job but an extraordinary ability to dance. When he meets Stephanie they decide to train together for a dance competition, and their lives begin to change forever.

Danny Bayne, winner of ITV’s Grease is the Word (Grease, Hairspray) takes the iconic role and is joined by a cast of actor-musicians.

It runs from Tuesday to Saturday with Wednesday, Friday and Saturday matinees.

Box office: 0844 871 3018 or www.atgtickets.com/manchester

The Octagon in Bolton hosts a premiere production of Dave Simpson’s Blind Date from next Thursday to Saturday.

The play explores the possibilities and pitfalls of internet dating through the story of two reluctant singletons, who exaggerate their own desirability in order to attract their perfect partner.

The play began life at JB Shorts, Manchester’s biannual festival of 15-minute-plays by top television writers. After an overwhelming response it was decided to extend the premise of Blind Date into a full-length production.

Several of Simpson’s previous plays – including Girls’ Night Out and The Naked Truth – have toured nationally to sell-out audiences, and he currently has a musical in development with producer Bill Kenwright.

Following performances in Bolton, Blind Date will continue at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre early next year.

Box office: 01204 510661 or www.octagonbolton.co.uk

Future Preston Tours invite audiences to step in to the 23rd century on Saturday night for a one-off exclusive screening of Logan’s Run.

The cult sci-fi is at the heart of an evening’s entertainment that sets off from the city’s UCLan campus at 6pm.

The screening will include interactive performance, refreshments and a bar to transport you to a world beyond imagination!

The project is produced by They Eat Culture for Film Hub North West as part of the British Film Institute’s Sci Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder national programme. Details: www.theyeatculture/futureprestontours

More Music’s Morecambe venue The Hothouse hosts more top bands in the run-up to Christmas, including UK chart-toppers Nizlopi on Saturday night.

The hip-hop folk duo hit Number 1 in the UK charts in December 2005 with JCB Song and have been named as a key influence by Ed Sheeran, who used to be their roadie.

Critically acclaimed prog-folk band Moulettes have played at the Hothouse twice before and return on December 7.

Details: www.moremusic.org.uk

Trending

Housing designated for the older generations in the pipeline for Garstang